Want to have a great Quince without breaking the bank? Check out these tips and tricks for making your quinceanera the party of a lifetime.

SAVING MONEY!

You don't need to spend tons of money to make your Quinceanera memorable. "The dollar store can be your best friend," says Priscilla Mora, editorial director of San Antonio area site DebutPlanner.com. "At discount stores, you can get little quinceanera boxes to put mints in, baskets for table arrangements, party favors, decorations. The imagination can be awesome when you or someone in your family is creative."

MUSIC!

When it comes to the father-daughter dance, there's no law that says you must do the customary waltz. You can put on your favorite Top Ten song, as long as the lyrics are appropriate for a father-daughter dance and, of course, your dad is down with it.

GIFTS!

When it comes to giving the court gifts to show your appreciation, think about how this tradition strengthens your connection with your Latin roots. "Instead of giving them jewelry as a gift," Veronica Chambers (author of Quinceanera Means Sweet Fifteen) suggests, "give them a meaningful book by a Latina author -- like Julia Alvarez's How the Garcia Girls Lost Their Accents."

GETTING THE PARTY GOING!

Perhaps the best tip is to not underestimate the power of thinking creatively. "Since so many quince girls have friends who are not Latin, you might want to have a salsa lesson for everyone early on in the party," Chambers suggests.

HAVE IT YOUR WAY!

As much of a tradition as this event is, you can totally tailor the party to your personality. For instance, girls often opt for pink decor, but if you just love red, embrace that! Make the whole party red -- with red and white balloons, a red cake, and red flowers. Or if you are a horse fanatic, incorporate toy equine figurines into your decor. Use your imagination and get creative -- after all, this is your day to shine!

-- Natalie Ermann
Resources: Veronica Chambers, author of Quinceanera Means Sweet Fifteen; Priscilla Mora, editorial director of DebutPlanner.com